Center support for curtain rods



w. H. TOELLE CENTER SUPPORT FOR CURTAIN RODS Filed Feb. 19', 1941 INVENTOR WAZ 75? fl 705115 BY 8' 2 ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1942.

Patented Sept. 8, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CENTER SUPPORT FOR. CURTAIN RODS Walter H. Toelle, Wallingford, Comm, assignor to H. L. Judd Company, Inc., Wallin -ford, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Application February 19, 1941, Serial No. 379,552

4 Claims.

This invention relates to drapery hardware. It consists in a novel construction of what is termed a two-position curtain or drapery rod, and provides means whereby the same is supported at three spaced points in each of its positions in such a manner as to prevent sagging of the central portions of the rod or rods when carrying a drapery load.

A chief object is to so construct the mechanism that after the rods have been merely put in position in either one of the two predetermined positions no adjustment is necessary, since angular position of the center support corresponds exactly with the angular position of the end supports.

In the accompanying drawing- Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a relatively enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing certain parts in a different positoin; and

Fig. 4 is a section of a detail of construction.

l-l represent a pair of so called two-position rods of C-shape cross section. 22 are end brackets provided to support the ends of said rods. These brackets, which include a pair of ofiset angular members, provide upstanding pin ends 3-3. The opposite edges of the outer ends of each of said rods are provided with two sets of perforatoins a-a and bb each of a size to receive a pin 3, so that, by slipping the ends of the rods onto these pins, the said rods may be held in horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3, or in an upwardly inclined position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This particular feature of construction is set forth in more detailed form in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,223,282, dated November 26, 1940. The present invention includes a third support, which I will term a center support, designed to keep the mid-portion of the curtain rods from sagging when carrying the drapery load. This third support is so constructed as to co-operate with the end supports of the rods in such a manner that its angular position will correspond with the angular position of the curtain rod ends as determined by the end brackets, thus avoiding any adjustment of the third support after the rods are put in position. This center support is also so constructed that it is comparatively inconspicuous when viewed from in front.

The center support comprises a bracket including a base 4, having an integral forwardly extending arm 4' with a laterally extending lug 4" at the outer end, which provides a supporting ledge. 5 represents the supporting arm, preferably of sheet metal, which is hinged to the arm 4' on a pivot screw 6, which latter threads into said arm 4'. The other end of this arm 5 is preferably provided with two notches, properly spaced to receive the lower edges of both rods l-l', said notches forming shoulders to prevent the mid-portion of the rods from slipping or skidding on the arm 5, especially when said rods are pitched upwardly in a plane oblique to the rear supporting wall. These notches also assure the proper spacing of the mid-portion of the rods at all times.

When the rods II' are pitched upwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lower edge of the center support 5 rests on the lug 4" at a point forward of the pivot, and this lug is so positioned that when the parts are assembled the angular position of the said center support or arm 5 will correspond with the angular position of the setback ends of the curtain rods, thus avoiding the necessity of any special adjustment for the supporting arm 5. Forward of the pivot 6 for the center supporting arm is a perforation 5', of a proper size to receive the lug 3, so that when it is desired to mount the rods !--1' in a horizontal plane, said lug will stand in the perforation, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and thus hold the curtain rods in said horizontal plane, as shown in Fig. 3, and also support the same against sagging. This perforation 5' is so formed that its upper edge will rest on the supporting lug.

By means of the aforesaid construction the user may very easily shift the curtain rods into either of the aforesaid two positions and may do this without the use of any special tool aside from an ordinary screw driver for the pivot screw 6.

I have described the invention in the particular form shown in the drawing, which is the preferred form, but I realize that certain modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the main purpose of which is to provide a three-point support for curtain rods, as indicated, which are capable of being shifted to either one of two angular positions and which, when assembled, assure that the rods will be held against sagging and in proper spaced relation and in the proper angular position relatively to the rear wall. It will be noted that the center support 5 is mounted edgewise under the rods ll and thus is inconspicuous when viewed from in front.

I claim:

1. A center support for a curtain rod, comprising an arm engageable with a mid-portion of said curtain rod to rigidly support the same against sagging, a supporting bracket to which one end of said arm is pivoted, a laterally extending lug on said bracket at one side of said pivotal point and engageable with said arm at either of two spaced positions to rigidly support said arm at either of two different angular positions.

2. A center support for a curtain rod, comprising an arm to engage a mid-portion of a curtain rod to support the same against sagging, bracket means for supporting said arm, and means for holding said arm adjustably relatively to said bracket.

3. A support for a curtain rod, comprising an arm engageable with a curtain rod to support the same, a supporting bracket, means for connecting said arm and bracket, said bracket and arm having a plurality of inter-engageable abutment means for supporting said arm at a plurality of different angular positions on said bracket.

4. A support for a curtain rod, comprising an arm to engage a curtain rod to support the same, bracket means for supporting said arm, and means on said arm and bracket for holding said arm at a plurality of angular positions on said bracket.

WALTER H. TO-EILE. 

